Labrador Retriever versus Golden Retriever
Posted by shiftee on June 5, 2008
The Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever are two of the most loved dog breeds. They’re also a common breed, and breeds you can truly call man’s best friend. The two are quite similar in some ways that many people don’t know which one to choose is asked what dog breed is the best.
The Labrador Retriever
AKA: Black Labrador Retriever, Yellow Labrador Retriever, Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Silver Labrador Retriever, Lab
Color: Black, yellow, or chocolate colored. All colors are solids.
Height: Males 22.5 – 24.5 inches; Females 21.5 – 23.5.
Weight: Males 60 – 75 lbs; Females 55 – 70 lbs
The Labrador Retriever is a quick learner and is a very responsive breed. It is playful, energetic, and very friendly. It can get along with other dogs and household pets. There are many Labrador Retrievers that are hailed as heroes because of their intelligence and alert services for their human owners.
You might want to read about the following Labrador Retrievers who did their breed an honor:
The Golden Retriever
AKA: Golden, Yellow Retriever, Goldie
Breed Group: Sporting, Gundog
Weight: males 60-80 lbs (27-36 kg), females 55-70 lbs (25-32 kg)
Height: males 22-24 inches (56-61 cm), females 20-22 inches (51-56 cm)
Color: The Golden Retriever has a coat that ranges from cream to a golden color.
The Golden Retriever is another heavy favorite among dog lovers. It is a well-balanced dog and is friendly and intelligent too. It gets along very well with other dogs and pets. It is also easy to train and makes a very good watchdog.
It is obvious how much Golden Retrievers are loved by the amount of stardom they have. The Golden Retriever is most likely the most used dog breed when it comes to TV shows and commercial ads, such as the following:
The Verdict: Well, in my list of my own favorite dog breeds, there is neither the Golden Retriever nor the Labrador. There are plenty of dog breeds to choose from and I usually opt for more distinctive breeds. Neverthless, I do recognize the lovable characteristics of the two and I would never complain of having either as a pet. But to choose one among them… well… I can’t choose. I’m a dog lover and I don’t really care what kind of dog it is.
Allen and Endal Parton said
Hi
To be totally honest, in the assistance dog world the cross between the Labrador and Golden retriever comes out as the most ideal model for the role. Having been partnered with Endal now for 11 years I obviously have a personnel preference in this debate… but saying that… we do live with Ikea, a nine year old Goldie, and he is as important in our lives as Endal is
warmest regards
Allen and Endal http://www.endal.co.uk
aubreyjones said
Great comparison… Golden or Lab…. As someone who speaks with great authority I can tell you without a doubt that a Golden is the retriever with the mostest… No disrespect to any Labs that might be weighing in… (I have Lab friends…) but just look at any Golden…. we’re freaking gorgeous! (As full disclosure I should probably let you know that I’m a Golden Retriever…)
Max the Golden Retriever
Keep On Wagging!
Jill said
My dog has been acting very aggressive the past couple weeks and my cat is also acting strange. I hope they haven’t contracted rabies. I’m going to have to take them both to the vet.
akash roy said
you know i have been thinking of bying a dog but after discarding all other breeds i am left with these two it is very difficult to compere these breeds but in the end i have finalised that i will go with a LAB because looks are not so iportant for me accrding to
me if looks matter to you go with a golden retriever if they dont go with a lab for sure
BEST OF LUCK FOR NEXT DOG YOU BUY
WANNA SAY ANYTHING MAIL ME AT akash.ry@hotmail.com
retrieverman said
The two breeds do have other differences other than the ones you mentioned. Both are highly trainable dogs. They both descend from the St. John’s water dog, a breed bred in Newfoundland for hauling nets out of the water. Goldens, Labs, and flat-coats all have very close common ancestry even beyond these dogs, because well into the twentieth century, they were interbred. The practice was not stopped until 1916!
Labs are mature earlier than goldens. Because of this, they are also better working retrievers and guide dogs, in part because the Lab does not have as much setter ancestry close in its pedigree. Goldens tend to quarter in long casts and air scent naturally like a setter, which is a no-no in a retriever trial, when the air scenting is meant to be much more controlled. Goldens are more sensitive than Labs, so they tend to get sulky if severely corrected. Most guide dogs are trained to intelligently disobey their handlers,despite harsh correction. This intelligent disobedience prevents the guide dog from taking its owner into a busy street, even though the owners is commanding the dog to go forward.
Goldens can be more easily precision trained than Labs, so they do better in obedience trials and agility. Goldens are almost as easy to train in this regard as border collies are, especially if goldens come from a line that focuses on trainability as its main goal. Goldens are also preferred breed for assistance dogs for the mobility challenged, because they can be trained so precisely.
Both breed are split into show and performance-bred ( for obedience and field) lines. Labs are the most popular dog in America and outnumber the Golden by at least 3 to 1. Labs are also international favorites, and it is estimated that they are the most popular dog breed in the world.
Both breeds shed, but goldens have much more undercoat than the Labs do. Their shedding can be in epic proportions. If you don’t believe me, just get one and watch how much coat comes off of that dog in the spring and autumn. It is rather impressive, but it is also a massive mess.
My own personal favorite of the two is the golden. I have a special place in my heart for the dark-colored field-line golden that most people think is a golden-Irish setter cross.
rajesh said
If its inbetween a lab and golden, I would preffer a golden. golden retrievers are more pleasing and more friendly, infact they are friendly with every one and any one.
write to me on mynenirajesh@yahoo.com
gaby said
i love it
Elizabeth said
I love what Allen said about the cross of the two breeds for assistance dog work. I work with future guide dogs, and from what I’ve seen, his statement is very true. Both our purebred Labs and Goldens have their strengths and weaknesses, but the Goldadors have proven to be excellent dogs overall.
Maya said
Wow! This is such a great debated! Honestly, I don’t think you can say which is the “better” breed. I’ve had both, individually and separately, and truly, they are better together.
I think they are perfect compliments to each other… flip sides of the same coin, if you will. Both are unerringly loyal, but your Golden will try to play with your Mail Man, while your Lab runs him off! Your Golden “needs” you more, while your Lab is more independant. Though your Lab thoroughly enjoys a good romp with you, your Golden more likely enjoys a good romp with your kids.
Other than that, I don’t know if I’d agree with the statement that “Labs mature earlier than Goldens.” I’d be more likely to say that both stay quite puppy-ish for some time… a blessing and a curse!
Labrador Retriever Fan said
One interesting fact I know about the Lab is that they have been used to help fishermen bring nets back to shore becasue they are particularly good at grabbing floating corks at the end of nets and dragging them back to shore.
Katie said
I would say I love both: labs and golden retrievers.
I’ve had both breeds and although I dont know much about them I’d say I prefer Goldies cause they are less anxious and crazy!!
Although my dog, which is a dark-colored goldie, is too protective and so I have had to seriously learn on how to educate him.
But still I’m totally in love with this breed eventhough labs are absolutly adorable specially cause they are crazy active!
All dogs are just adorable!
Is us who need to learn about them!
Cheers!
lola said
I’m so excited about reading this article. I love the debate, and it is time for a new puppy for our family. I am in love with the furry appearance of the Golden, and now I just need to find one and pick out a name!
GOLDENRYAN said
i love goldens i like labs but i like the golden sorry labs
vlad said
oh sorry i forgot this was the dog part
) i like labs
ghghgk Goldens**** said
I love goldens labs are just too spunky for me, and goldens are always sweet and lovable and there just bout the cutiest little things ever!
Baby Britt said
love goldens always have, and there puppys are adorable
Ashley said
I choose the labs I love the colours they also come in Silver and fox red too just as goldens too which lots of people don’t know
BB00 said
I have a 3 yr old yellow lab and I’m getting a golden retriever puppy in a few weeks! So ill have one of each!